Rain, rain, go away…actually, never mind, you can stay!
Let’s be honest, there aren't many situations where rain is fun. Maybe only if you're in bed wearing PJs and sipping a warm cup of coffee. But when traveling, rain may seem like your worst enemy, especially when you wanna explore your destination — unless you’re in Tokyo. Tokyo in the rain is actually one of the most fun ways to explore the bustling city. If you plan it right, the rain won’t dampen your mood, it will help bring to life some hidden parts of the city you may not have realized were waiting to be explored.
Tokyo is a city that has everything for all types of weather. It’s always buzzing and full of life. Even if it rains, the city won’t stop, so neither should you! With that, here are some fun things to do and attractions to explore on a rainy day in Tokyo!
1. Explore teamLab Planets
Bring the outside inside at teamLab Planets.
Your Tokyo trip will not be complete without a visit to teamLab Planets, an incredible attraction that’s perfect for any rainy day. This immersive art exhibition will send chills down your spine and awaken your senses as you become part of the pieces on display. One highlight we truly recommend visiting at this museum is the beauty of the infinite crystal universe — it will blow your mind and provide some of the best Instagram content for your trip!
2. Discover Tokyo Skytree
View from inside Tokyo Skytree
Marvel at breathtaking views of the city from Japan’s tallest building, the Tokyo Skytree!With two heights to choose from, you can either head up the 350m or 450m observation decks and witness unmatched 360-degree views of the entire Tokyo Metropolis that you won’t get to see anywhere else. The views are stunning both morning and night, so this is a fun activity to pop into your day when the weather is looking a little gray.
Tokyo's buzz doesn't stop in the rain; soak it all in from above from Tokyo Skytree Credits: @tokyoskytree_official on Instagram
3. Seek thrills at Tokyo Joypolis
Think thrilling theme park, but with the luxury of being indoors — that’s exactly what you’ll get at Tokyo Joypolis! It is Japan’s largest indoor theme park and should be high on your list of fun things to do in Tokyo. Fun has no age limit, so grab the Tokyo Joypolis Passport to get unlimited access to the park and try the myriad of rides and games. Some must-experience rides include the Resident Evil-themed BIOHAZARD and the Phoenix Wright Ace game!
4. Become a kid again in Legoland
Legoland is fun for the big kids and the little kids! Credits: @ldctokyo on Instagram
If you’re a Lego fan, then this activity is one to put on the books for a rainy day. The Legoland Discovery Centre Tokyo brings to life the amazing world of Lego. It's the perfect day for creativity, building, and adventure, especially for kids, as it keeps the restless little ones in check. That said, adults will also get a kick out of Lego City; you can take a tour of the Lego Factory and see how the bricks are made or head to the Duplo Village, which is also loads of fun!
5. Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
You probably already know, but tea is a massive part of Japanese culture. Experiencing a Tokyo Asakusa kimono and tea ceremony is almost a rite of passage for any visitor. This ceremony is a form of art, waiting to be enjoyed and experienced. It is a great way to keep dry, as you learn the history and importance of this ceremony and enjoy delicious tea accompanied by some sweet treats. It’s also a perfect way to wash away any stress that the rain might be causing you!
6. Take a Japanese cooking class
Temari-Sushi making in Tokyo!
Taking a cooking class is a great thing to do in Tokyo to enjoy a rainy day indoors. There are heaps of Japanese cooking classes that you can get your hands on, but some of our favorites include the Temari Sushi Making experience and the Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Half Day Tour. Sushi is a world-famous Japanese delicacy, and these cooking classes will equip you well to impress your friends with a traditional Japanese meal once you return home.
Once you learn how to make Japanese delicacies in class, you can make some at home!
7. Relax in an Onsen
There’s no better way to warm up on a rainy day than in a hot spring. An onsen (or hot spring) is an important part of the culture, with the waters said to be healing, taking away stress and anxiety. While most onsens in Japan do not allow people with tattoos to dip, this tattoo-friendly and open-air onsen in Tokyo is one of the few baths that allow tattoos and hosts a separate open-air bathtub and wooden deck. After your onsen experience, don’t forget to get your free sake or ice cream.
Apart from the tattoo-friendly onsen, we highly recommend you visit Manyo Toyosu for an onsen experience that will surely relieve your body of all its stresses and aches. This onsen is open 24 hours and is known for its outdoor baths that treat visitors to stunning Tokyo skyline views!
Klook Tip: The subway is the best way to get around Tokyo on a rainy day! You can purchase a Suica IC Card that can be refilled as you explore the city!]
8. Check out Art Aquarium Museum
A one-of-a-kind thing to do in Tokyo is visiting the Art Aquarium Museum. This truly awe-inspiring museum is also an aquarium that showcases sea life through artistic installations. Really, you won’t find the usual round and rectangular fish tanks here! Instead, you’ll find artistic marvels like the Origamirium, a fish tank inspired by the traditional Japanese art of origami, as well as other creative installations like the Flowerarium.
9. Think tiny at Small Worlds Tokyo
Small Worlds Tokyo is a miniature theme park that showcases various themed zones, such as the Kansai International Airport area with its mini planes and the Global Village that takes you throughout Asia and Europe. Anime fans will also enjoy the recreation of their fave scenes from Sailor Moon and Evangelion! Oh, and fun fact: despite Small Worlds being all things small, it’s the largest indoor miniature theme park in the world!
10. Try glassblowing
If you want to get your creative juices flowing,then try out this glassblowing experience and create your very own glass art! To create something that’s uniquely YOU, pick out the colors, shapes, and patterns you want and let your creative muse take the lead. You can also take your creation home to commemorate the experience!
11. Get mesmerized by this Kintsugi experience
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form that teaches us that broken things can be fixed and made even better! With this kintsugi experience, you can piece together b roken ceramics using golden or sparkling dust, and the results are stunning. To take your cultural immersion up a notch, you’ll wear the samue or craftsman uniform during the experience.
12. Witness a sumo tournament, show, or training
Complete your Tokyo trip with an experience of watching the country’s national sport, sumo wrestling. You can watch it as a tournament, show, or training — better yet, watch all three! You can start with catching a sumo training in the morning, where you’ll see the hard work and preparations that professional sumo wrestlers do for the sport.
Klook offers a sumo practice experience that comes with a specialist, so if you have any questions while watching the training, the specialist can help you too.
You can also watch a sumo show, where former professional sumo wrestlers deliver sumo performances to an audience. The experience will tell more of the sport’s story through a show, rather than its competitiveness through sumo wrestling matches. After the performance, you even get a chance to take a photo with the sumo wrestlers you saw on stage!
Now if you love the thrill of competitions, you’ll definitely enjoy witnessing sumo tournaments! Cheer your hearts out for your chosen sumo wrestler and book your tickets on Klook to have an experience that you won’t forget. These Grand Sumo Tournament tours come with a tenugui (traditional towel) with your choice of sumo wrestler to side with. There will also be food and drinks provided, depending on the package type you choose.
Ready to explore Tokyo?
Tokyo in the rain is one of our favorite ways to explore. Whether visiting museums or discovering indoor theme parks, it’s a city made to be explored, come rain, hail, or shine. So get your feet a little wet and experience Tokyo in a whole new way!
Now that you know some fun things to do in Tokyo on a rainy day, we’ve got a little tip for you —can save up to 48% on tickets to multiple attractions in the city using the Klook Pass Tokyo!
With this, you can access Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo, Small Worlds Tokyo, teamLab Planets Tokyo, and more with just one voucher!
Before you fly to Tokyo, make sure to secure your travel essentials first:
🍣 Japan Essentials🍣
🚅Trains & Airport Transfers
📌Mobile Data & Metro Passes
